Unexpected Encounter

The Scarlet Dragon respectfully bowed before Tatsuya's figure. A gigantic dragon bowing before a human felt off, even then it showed just how superior the other side was. Tatsuya seemed like an Emperor, while the dragon symbolized the emperor's subjects. Unfortunately, this majestic scene wasn't seen or recorded by others.

"This dragon feels blessed to have been graced by your presence."

Tatsuya's eyelids twitched, feeling very awkward. He still can't get used to the dragon's overly exaggerated sentences. He involuntarily recalled the events where he also adapted how the cultivators should behave.

Those scenes made Tatsuya uneasy, as he slowly imagined his demeanor in those events. Acting like some scholar, even though his hands are already tainted, Tatsuya thought of this phrase. He knew just how hypocrite the people in this world is. They would act like a friend, but there was actually a dagger behind their back.

"Scarlet Dragon, it seems that you have broken through."

Previously, the Scarlet Dragon was already in the Emperor Profound Realm, but it has now achieved the Second Stage of Emperor Profound Realm. The gaps between the stages in the Emperor Profound Realm are like heaven and earth, it is not something that could be bridged easily.

"Yes, milord. Your strength enlightened me that I am nothing but a frog in a well. Thus, breaking away from my mental chains, I was able to break through."

"I see…"

Indeed, the mentality of someone could heavily affect his progress. Possessing a strong willpower and mentality could allow the cultivators to cultivate easier. There are some people who have been bounded by their narrow mentality, forever locked away from the realms they sought to achieve.

"It seems that Mistress is almost done…"

The Scarlet Dragon respectfully said, while admiring the profound energy ripple that spread out from within the cave. Tatsuya also nodded his head in approval. He turned his head towards the cave, while silently monitoring Chu Xin's evolution.

Through his Elemental Sight, Tatsuya could sense that Chu Xin has already ended her seclusion. Chu Xin had broken through into the Sixth Stage of the True Profound Realm. She had only jumped a single stage, which seemed mediocre compared to her previous breakthroughs.

However, Tatsuya knew that Chu Xin's break through is actually more consolidated compared to her previous breakthroughs.

"Big Brother Tatsuya! Oh hello, Scarlet Dragon!"

Upon completing her break through, Chu Xin immediately opened her eyes and ran towards the outskirts of the cave. She gazed at Tatsuya with admiration and excitement, just like a child. Her current attitude seemed different compared to her previous attitude at the New Moon Profound Palace. Even then, Chu Xin's attitude looked natural and not forced. It seemed that this is her real self that she would only show to Tatsuya.

"Congratulations, Xin'er."

Tatsuya gently smiled at Chu Xin's approaching figure, as approval flashed within his eyes. Chu Xin caught a wind of that approval. She couldn't help but feel happy and proud.

Chu Xin's current strength is far stronger compared to her previous prowess. Tatsuya could see that as clear as day. In Chu Xin's current break through, she was able to condense the profound energy within her body into a purer form. The energy from the Demon Condemning Sword played a part of her progress, but it all ultimately lied on her great talent.

"Congratulations, milady."

The Scarlet Dragon looked at Chu Xin with admiration within its dragon eyes. It all knew just how monstrous this cute little girl before it, as it was also able to observe how Chu Xin transformed from an innocent little kid into her current state.

"Thank you hehe."

Chu Xin puffed up her cheeks, feeling proud and satisfied of her own performance. She would steal a sidelong glance at the figure beside her. Upon seeing the gentleness within Tatsuya's eyes, a flower seemed to have blossomed within her heart, forcing a foolish smile into her face.

"Forgive this dragon's rude interruption, but what would you like for me to do Milord?"

"Eh?"

The Scarlet Dragon respectfully asked Tatsuya about something. There was an obvious trace of sneer and disdain within its eyes. However, those emotions weren't directed towards Tatsuya and Chu Xin, but onto some else. This made Chu Xin confused, making her stare at the Scarlet Dragon with a questioning look.

"Oh, you mean about those people hiding behind the rock?"

"Yes, milord."

The instant Tatsuya said those words, rustles appeared within the perimeter. It was obvious that there are people behind the rock where Tatsuya quickly looked at. This greatly alarmed Chu Xin, as she wasn't even able to detect the presence of those figure.

"It seemed that these people came for you, Scarlet Dragon. Deal with them as its your own problem."

Tatsuya slowly said, without even caring about the presences behind the rock. He had longed sensed their presence, since they had entered the Scarlet Dragon Mountain Range. If they tried to do something, Tatsuya could instantly erase their existence from the face of this planet.

"Yes, milord."

The Scarlet Dragon bowed its head at Tatsuya once again, expressing its sincere apology towards Tatsuya. After all, it had brought unwanted troubles in Tatsuya's presence. The Scarlet Dragon selfishly assumed that he had somehow offended Tatsuya.

"Humans, don't even bother to hide yourself from this dragon."

*Boom!*

Suddenly, a terrorizing aura came crashing down from the heavens. It greatly pressured the area where the Dragon intended to do so. As if not expecting the sudden aura, those figures sluggishly appeared from the rock.

There are five of them, each consisting a fairly high cultivation base. They were all at the Sky Profound Realm, and there was even a Half-Step Emperor Profound Realm practitioner there. These kind of lineup could be said to be extremely strong from this country's perspective.

"It seemed that our intel was wrong. This dragon isn't a Sky Profound Realm beast, but a real Throne beast!"

They said to themselves, while holding back the fear stuck on their throats. They haven't showed a hint of fear, as they all seriously gazed at the Scarlet Dragon with fighting intent. Even then, they knew that all of them won't even stand a chance against the dragon.

"Hmm?"

Then, they all noticed Tatsuya and Chu Xin standing behind the Scarlet Dragon. They couldn't help but frown, as they questioned themselves, how could these two brats calmly stand behind an Emperor Profound Realm beast.

They simultaneously sent out their senses, probing the cultivation base of these two brats. After sending out their senses, they sensed that Chu Xin had already achieved the Sixth Stage of True Profound Realm despite her young age. They felt shocked by her talent and beauty.

However, what immediately followed their shock is their frown and confusion. They couldn't sense anything from Tatsuya at all. He seemed like an ordinary mortal without any profound strength within his bones. But, they could all sense the unfathomable calmness within Tatsuya's eyes.

"It seems that the Scarlet Dragon is guarding both of these two."

Although, the Scarlet Dragon didn't need to raise its effort in guarding Tatsuya and Chu Xin, it still did so. This act from the Dragon allowed those suspicious people to assume that Tatsuya and Chu Xin must be the Dragon's weakness. Even then, they aren't completely sure about that, as they all looked at themselves and nodded at each other.

"Burning Heaven Blood Claw!"

"Burning Heaven-"

Those people didn't hesitate further and tried to focused their attacks at Tatsuya's direction. They didn't hold back even a little bit, and went all out at once. These actions made Tatsuya frown, as the Scarlet Dragon who sensed Tatsuya, visible shivered.

"How dare you humans!"

The Scarlet Dragon spread out its scarlet wings and hurriedly blocked the attacks from those people. Its wings have a great tenacity, easily blocking off those attacks from those people. The Scarlet Dragon then glared at those people with killing intent, while spewing out a fire breath.

"Dodge!"

Those individuals immediately separated from each other, each going in different directions. They hurriedly ran away from the fire breath of the Scarlet Dragon, and waited for the right timing.

"Now!"

*Boom!*

They attacked once again, but with an ever greater intensity of strength. It seemed that they had absorbed some sort of pills that allowed them to increase their strength, allowing them to stop the Scarlet Dragon's fire breath.

"Elders, capture those two while I hold off the Scarlet Dragon!"

The strongest one among those people, who temporarily achieved the strength of First Stage of Emperor Profound Realm, hurriedly conveyed his thoughts. He went ahead and directly slammed his fist on the dragon, greatly aggravating the Dragon.

"Humans, you dare?!"

The Scarlet Dragon angrily roared at those people, instantly going all out at once. This greatly pressured the Throne on the hostile side. After all, a single beast is already enough to contend against two to three humans of the same level.

"Don't you look at the other way, Dragon!"

The Throne from the hostile side immediately unleashed a barrage of profound skill, with the intention to drive away the Dragon's attention. This greatly angered the Dragon, as it swiped its claw towards the man.

"Field Burning Slash!"

The man hurriedly attacked back, and used one of his most proficient skills against the Scarlet Dragon. Their two attacks produced a strong wind and blasted away their surroundings. The ripple of their fight immediately scared the wandering cultivators inside the Scarlet Dragon Mountain, as they hurriedly ran away, afraid of getting accidentally caught up by this fight.

"Surrender yourselves, brats!"

One of those people suddenly appeared and landed before Tatsuya and Chu Xin. He had a huge grin on his face, feeling confident that they had already won against the Scarlet Dragon. All they needed to do is to capture these two brats and investigate their identities.

"You have a great talent, come with me, little girl!"

The man extended his hand forward, attempting to grasp Chu Xin's pale white hand. But, what welcomed him is a hand that blocked his sight. He suddenly felt a great force that completely dominated his body.

*Boom!*

Tatsuya grabbed the man's head and directly smashed it to the ground. The ground instantly collapsed and fractured into different fragments. The man's head was reduced into a squashed watermelon, without even having a chance to scream in fear.

"What?!"

These event instantly captured everyone's attention, as they all visibly shuddered in trepidation. They couldn't understand how their comrade who possessed the same strength as them, was reduced into such sorry state.

"If you guys had just done your business without involving us, this wouldn't have happened…"

Tatsuya muttered to himself, as he indifferently scanned the figures in the sky. His gaze made those people tremble in trepidation. Those people could now understand why they couldn't sense his cultivation base. It was because Tatsuya's strength is far beyond their comprehension.

"W-wait. Don't kill us! We're the members of the Burning Heaven Clan. We can give you anything!"

"T-that's right! If you tried to kill us, you would make an enemy against the whole Burning Heaven Clan!"

The remaining four people desperately fended for themselves, each expressing their desperate plea. A single man even dared to threaten Tatsuya, completely ignoring the fact that the former is probably stronger than their whole clan combined.

"Pathetic…"

Tatsuya didn't even say a word in reply to those Burning Heaven Clan's member, but it was Chu Xin who looked at those people in disdain. She completely despised these kind of people, as an unmatched disdain materialized within her eyes.

Those people's figures faltered before her disdainful look, immediately forcing them to question their whole lives. They all thought as to how could this brat before them question them, when she's just a junior!

"Senior, forgive my rudeness for not noticing you earlier. My name is Fen Moli, and I'm the Grand Elder of the Burning Heaven Clan. I would like to-"

"No thanks."

Without even hearing Fen Moli's proposal, Tatsuya flatly refused him without giving him any leeway. These kind of people weren't even worth a single minute of Tatsuya's time. He could have done things better if he had spent his time on useful things.

"Ahhhh! Blazing Sun Slash!"

Knowing that they won't leave this mountain range alive, an individual from those people desperately attacked Tatsuya with his blazing sword. His attack melted the trees into liquid, showcasing the extreme heat of his attack.

"W-what in the world?!"

Even then, it wasn't effective at all. He couldn't advance his sword further, as if being blocked by an invisible barrier. He fearfully switched his gaze from his sword to Tatsuya, and immediately felt a shiver that ran across his spine.

Tatsuya is looking at him without any emotion. It was as if Tatsuya wasn't even looking at a human being, but only at a tool. His eyes gleamed and resembled of that a demon, as something unimaginable happened.

"Nooo!"

The man's body began to vanish into nothingness. He couldn't struggle at all, and could only howl in fear of his own life. The others had their mind shook because of these scene, as they all instantly concluded that they wouldn't be able to leave this place alive.

Even the Scarlet Dragon couldn't help but feel its soul vibrating because of an intense amount of fear. His instincts told him that he wouldn't be able to escape death before those blue eyes of Tatsuya. That's how powerful Tatsuya is.

Chu Xin also faltered before the sight of the man gradually vanishing into nothingness. However, she wasn't afraid of Tatsuya's power but she was afraid of man's fragility. Someone that strong could easily die before a truly strong being. She couldn't help but grip her little fists, and grit her teeth. She knew that she must become stronger!

"N-no, please!"

When the man who tried to attack Tatsuya completely vanished as if he hadn't existed in the first place, Tatsuya scanned the remaining three individuals with his indifferent and calm eyes.

Fen Moli and others immediately trembled in fear and trepidation, as they all regretted the fact that they even planned to capture Tatsuya and Chu Xin. They even recalled and regretted that they came here to kill the Scarlet Dragon.

"Please spare our lives, milord!"

"Please, I beg of you, spare our lives!"

They all unhesitatingly kneeled before Tatsuya's figure, hurriedly pleading for their own lives. They didn't care about their pride as Elders before Tatsuya. They knew that such pride is useless before the existence before them. If they want to live, they must be ready to sacrifice everything.

"Nooo!"

However, their plea fell into deaf ears. Tatsuya completely ignored them and turned his back against them. They had begun to disappear into nothingness, and they knew that death is already welcoming them.

Each of Tatsuya's step killed a single Burning Heaven Clan's member, as Chu Xin silently followed. Chu Xin is immersed in her own thoughts, completely affected by the previous scenario where a Half-Step Emperor Profound Realm cultivator vanished like some ant.

The Scarlet Dragon took its last look at the place where those men vanished. It followed Tatsuya with its head down, completely ashamed by the fact that it couldn't even deal with those weaklings easily.

*Thud*

Chu Xin, who was immersed in her own thoughts, unexpectedly bumped against Tatsuya's back. She immediately woke up in stupor, while the Scarlet Dragon also felt confused as to why Tatsuya suddenly halted his steps.

"I didn't expect that I'll meet someone from the Divine Realm in this place... Come out!"

Tatsuya then looked somewhere, towards the tree at the east direction. Chu Xin and the Scarlet Dragon followed his gaze and stared at the direction. Even then, they couldn't sense the presence behind that tree.

"Still wouldn't come out?"

Tatsuya slowly muttered, as he extended his right hand forward. An astonishing flow of profound energy appeared within the perimeter, as it solidified the air because of its frightening density.

*Thud*

Chu Xin and the Scarlet Dragon saw Tatsuya easily drag out a young man behind the tree. He had a domineering aura and noble aura that could capture everyone's attention, but his strength is greatly lacking. He only achieved Fourth Stage of the Elementary Profound Realm.

"Let go of me!"

The young man struggled against Tatsuya's power, but it is impossible because of his lacking strength. He glared at Tatsuya without any fear and trepidation. This amused Tatsuya, allowing him to know that these individual didn't see him erase those people from the Burning Heaven Clan.

"Confident, eh. Don't rely too much on the Divine Realm practitioner within your treasure."

The young man halted his struggle, as his eyes widened in shock. His body visibly trembled, as millions of questions floated into his mind. He couldn't help but question everything, as to how this young man before him know about his treasure.

"Interesting, mortal. For your mediocre strength to sense this Princess' presence."

Suddenly, a voice appeared out of nowhere and greatly alarmed Chu Xin and the Scarlet Dragon. This voice had a hint of amusement and disbelief. The voice could be said heavenly, unmatched under the heaven.

*Woosh*

Out of nowhere, a wind blew as a whitish form appeared beside the young man. It gradually formed into a little girl with crimson red hair and arrogant demeanor. The girl disdainfully gazed at Chu Xin and the Scarlet Dragon, while seriously checking out Tatsuya.

"Since, you know that I'm from the Divine Realm, do you still dare to act against us?"